# NTSB DEN87LA054: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N40458, Colo. Springs, CO, February 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1987, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Colo. Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 39.049831, -104.68943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0498&lon=-104.6894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA054

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON ATTEMPTED A NORMAL LANDING. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION WHILE THE STUDENT PLT ALLOWED THE ENVELOPE TO COOL EXCESSIVELY. THIS GAVE A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND THE BALLOON MADE A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40458](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40458-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 7897, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 7897
- Airframe hours: 204
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur J. Walsh
- Registered owner: Arthur J. Walsh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1986
- Departed: CO50, ELLICOTT, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 5,604 total, 33 in this make and model, 5,369 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870211002589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870211002589A), Feb 11, 1987: Balwks FIREFLY7, Colorado Spring, CO. The balloon landed hard, breaking instructors ankle. Balloon became too cool during descent.

## Other investigations on N40458 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN79DTE68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DTE68), Jul 29, 1979: Balloon WKS Fire 7 (N40458), Firestone, CO, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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